Is the Challengers movie based on a true story?

Zendaya will soon grace the big screen again as Tashi, a tennis champion turned coach, in the movie Challengers. But is the story a biopic or just an enticing sports drama (with a brilliant cast)? Is the Challengers movie based on a true story? Here’s what we know!

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to! Listen, we’ll watch Zendaya in anything, if we’re being honest, but we were still super curious about the story, especially after checking out that inviting trailer! More than anything, we wanted to know if Challengers is based on real tennis players, and we noticed many fans are wondering this, too.

Challengers follows Tashi (Zendaya), a champion tennis player who becomes a coach after an severe injury. Tashi trains Art, her husband, transforming him from a mediocre tennis player to a Grand Slam champion. At their latest competition, Tashi and Art learn that Patrick (Art’s former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend) is also entering. The sports comedy-drama comes with a splash of romance and is sure to be one emotional ride. But did it all really happen?

Is the Challengers movie based on a true story?

It may seem like it, but Challengers is actually not based or inspired by a true story. In an interview with IndieWire, director Luca Guadagnino shared that his latest movie is not based on real life. However, this story was inspired by people Guadagnino does personally know and “loves very much,” he told the source. The director also notes that this movie is his first comedy, this should be exciting!

And so there you have it, a sports drama that is not a biopic. Check out the trailer below! Challengers premieres in theaters on Sept. 15, 2023. The movie also stars Josh O’Connor as Patrick and Mike Faist as Art Donaldson.